The Healthy Anne Arundel Coalition (HAAC) has released a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The report, compiled by Holleran Consulting, is a joint undertaking led by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Anne Arundel Health System and Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The CHNA report can be viewed at www.aahealth.org/chna.

“The Coalition’s vision is Healthy People, Healthy County,” says Jinlene Chan, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the HAAC and Acting Health Officer of Anne Arundel County. “This countywide assessment provides a clearer vision of our County’s strengths and the challenges we face in supporting healthier communities. The report serves as a guide as the Coalition develops and implements strategies to improve the health status of all Anne Arundel County residents.”

The CHNA gathered information about the health needs and health behaviors of County residents. The assessment examined a variety of indicators, including social determinants of health (poverty, housing, education), mortality rates, risky behaviors (alcohol use, tobacco use) and chronic health conditions (diabetes, heart disease).The report shows that the County is doing better with overall infant health and the percentage of insured residents than Maryland and the nation; however, the mortality rates for heart disease and diabetes exceed state and national rates. The percentage of County adults who binge drink far exceeds state and national figures.

“The assessment underscores areas like obesity and behavioral health where we need to focus,” says Lisa Hillman, HAAC Vice Chair and Senior Vice President of Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The only way to achieve any substantive impact is to work closely with caring and like-minded organizations who are our Coalition partners.”

“The Community Health Needs Assessment provides valuable insight into the health needs and behaviors of County residents,” says Kathleen McCollum, Vice Chair of HAAC and Senior Vice President of Business Development and Ambulatory Services at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. “It will help us continue to develop and implement programs and educational opportunities that best meet the needs of our community members as we encourage them to take a proactive approach to their health and the health of their families.”

The Healthy Anne Arundel Coalition is a partnership of public sector agencies, health care providers and insurers, community and faith-based groups, businesses and academic institutions aimed at improving the County’s health. For more information about the Coalition and the CHNA, visit www.healthyannearundel.org or call 410-222-7203.

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